Parrish: From Disabled List to Unemployed List : Baseball: Angels will activate the veteran catcher on Tuesday and then place him on waivers for outright release.

No longer able to postpone the inevitable loss of his job as the Angels’ starting catcher, Lance Parrish said Sunday he believes he can contribute to any team that might sign him after the Angels place him on waivers Tuesday.

Parrish, who turned 36 last week, is on the disabled list because of a torn thumbnail. He’s eligible for activation Tuesday, when the Angels will release him. Teams have 72 hours to claim him on waivers. Afterward, any team can sign him to a contract for the major league minimum, $109,000.

The Angels must pay his $2.25 million salary this season.

Parrish’s position was in jeopardy this spring, when Manager Buck Rodgers and Senior Vice President Whitey Herzog planned to give John Orton a chance to start. However, Orton’s progress was impeded by a shoulder injury, and he didn’t join the Angels until June 11.

Parrish, who was on the DL earlier this season because of bone spurs in his right elbow, hit .216 last season and .229, with four homers and 11 RBIs, in 24 games this season. His 290 homers as a catcher ranks fifth among catchers in major league history.

“Based on the comments made in spring training and during the winter time, it was pretty obvious they wanted John Orton to fit into the program, hoping he would come around,” said Parrish, who has a .254 batting average with 308 homers and 1,009 runs batted in for his career.

“I don’t think, in my career, I’ve had two injuries like I’ve had this season. I was hoping to show what I still had, but those injuries kind of got in the way.”

Parrish, who has thrown out eight of 29 base stealers, said his elbow has felt strong in recent weeks. His thumb remains tender, but he said it should heal during the time he waits to clear waivers.

“I’d like to thank Gene and Jackie Autry for letting me come here and play. It was always a dream of mine to play in Southern California, and I appreciate having gotten the chance,” said Parrish, who grew up in Walnut.

Orton, who said Parrish was one of his idols, praised Parrish’s generosity in helping him. “I tried to learn all I could from him. He’s always been helpful,” Orton said.